The Los Angeles Lakers would have accepted humiliation against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But they saw something worse. Their dazzling star, Luka Doncic, gripped his left hamstring after trying to escape from a few Thunder defenders. Alone on one side of the floor, Doncic went to the ground, holding his head. He was absolutely gutted, and the Lakers went pale.

The concerning part is the nature of the injury. Doncic didn’t take a bump. He appeared to injure his hamstring during a regular motion. The six-time All-Star was able to walk off without any assistance. But his reaction suggested it’s a bigger issue than just a minor tweak.

Double-teamed by Thunder defenders, Luka Doncic planted his left leg and instantly grabbed his hamstring. Overwhelmed by visible pain, he collapsed near the baseline. In sheer frustration, he yanked at his jersey, looking ready to tear it right off, before ultimately using the fabric to hide his devastated face. This one moment brings down a landslide of doubts and problems for JJ Redick and the Lakers.

There’s less than two weeks before the playoffs begin. The Purple and Gold finished March with an outstanding record. Nobody from the team would deny Doncic was the nucleus behind their brilliance. He scored 600 points in March, is currently leading the league in scoring, and has had a three-game streak of scoring 40 or more points.

He was the engine, the glue, and the hope. Now the Lakers are forced to deal with the worst outcome. If Luka Doncic’s injury is as serious as his frustrations suggest, this might be doom day for the Lakers. It isn’t just about carrying their momentum. The Lakers’ domino fell into place because of Doncic’s exquisite play. The pieces aligned because Luka Doncic existed.

Everything will have to change if the very life of the Lakers is taken out. This isn’t a new issue. Doncic previously missed four games leading up to the All-Star break while rehabbing a left hamstring strain. Injuring the same leg again makes this setback far more alarming. Right now, it’s difficult to assess how bad the injury could be.

It’s concerning enough that the Lakers probably won’t speak about the punishment they received from the Thunder. Every second is an anxious one. Is this the Lakers’ season done, or will Doncic rise again?

Luka Doncic’s MVP campaign is in jeopardy

Luka Doncic wasn’t worried about falling out of the MVP race. The media had written him under the same repetitive narrative. That’s where these last few weeks were crucial. Doncic was on a roll and only building his case to hold the mantle of being the Most Valuable Player. But his claims were hanging on thin ice with the 65-game rule.

Those fears have also become very real after his concerning injury against OKC.

Doncic has played in 62 games thus far. The Lakers only have another five games on their regular-season calendar. Essentially, if the injury is serious, the former Real Madrid prodigy will join Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, and other stars ineligible for any honors. According to Dave McMenamin, Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday to evaluate the injury.

But the results will tell whether it’s safe to play or not. The Lakers have to make a real decision. They are the third seed and have played championship-calibre basketball since the season resumed. With the postseason right around the corner, would they be willing to risk their season and let Doncic play?

If this situation does arise, one of the two parties will have to sacrifice. Luka Doncic isn’t the clear MVP favorite. In fact, he’s slipping in rating despite outstanding performances. That’s one of the reasons the Lakers may choose to deploy Doncic directly for the playoffs. Furthermore, the Don himself is fixated on winning championships with the Purple and Gold.

With his history of hamstring ailments, resting during the final stretch of the regular season may be the best option on hand. It’s disappointing to think Doncic’s historic campaign would end without any recognition at all. But the bigger objective will always take priority. If there are any doubts after the MRI, it’s likely Luka Doncic won’t play another regular-season game.

What do you think this injury could mean for the Lakers’ season?